Aim and Background:The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction program on reducing psychosomatic symptoms and test anxiety in the University entrance exam candidates. Methods and Materials:The present study was an experimental study with pre-test and post-test design with a control group. The statistical population included the senior female high school students in Bonroud district of Isfahan province in the educational year (2020-2021), who were selected by multi-stage random cluster sampling method and among students who had high anxiety scores (1 standard deviation above average). 12 students were randomly assigned to the experimental group and 12 students were randomly assigned to the control group. The experimental group underwent mindfulness-based stress reduction program intervention for 8 sessions. The control group did not receive any intervention. TAI test anxiety (Abolghasemi et al., 2006) and psychosomatic complaints (Takata and Sakata, 2004) questionnaires were used to collect data. The collected data were analyzed using statistical methods of Analysis of Covariance. Participants were allowed to leave the study whenever they wished. The informed consent form was completed by the individuals before the study began. Findings:The results of ANCOA analysis showed that the experimental intervention could significantly reduce test anxiety (P<001) and reduce psychosomatic symptoms (P<001) in students of the experimental group. Conclusions:According to the findings, it can be concluded that mindfulness-based stress reduction program has been able to have a positive effect on reducing test anxiety and psychosomatic symptoms in the University entrance exam candidates.
Aim and Background:Fertility is always considered one of the most important functions of the family. The aim of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of education based on acceptance and commitment with mindfulness-based stress reduction in reducing anxiety and depression of infertile women. Methods and Materials:This study was a semi-experimental type with a pre-test-post-test design with a control group and a two-month follow-up. The statistical population included infertile women referring to infertility centers in Yazd in the fall of 1400. 36 of them were selected by available sampling method and then randomly replaced into three groups. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) by Zigmond and Snit (1983) was used to collect data. One of the experimental groups received training based on acceptance and commitment therapy during ten sessions, and the other group received training based on mindfulness-based stress reduction therapy for ten sessions. The control group was also placed on the waiting list. Data analysis was done using statistical methods of Analysis of Covariance with SPSS version 26. Participants were allowed to leave the study whenever they wished. The informed consent form was completed by the individuals before the study began. Findings:The results of covariance analysis showed that both interventions based on acceptance and commitment and mindfulness-based stress reduction were effective in reducing depression and anxiety of infertile women in the post-test and follow-up phase (P≤0.05). However, there was no significant difference between the two experimental groups in the post-test and follow-up stages. Conclusions:Based on this, it can be concluded that these two treatment methods are effective in improving the mental health of infertile women. Therefore, these treatments can be used as complementary treatments to reduce psychological problems in infertility treatment centers.
